Speedweek 2017
Speedweek August 2017 on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Drivers who have qualified for records the previous day converge early at the impound where they are released to try to back up their records with return runs. On this beautiful morning we are about to set the XXFBRMR record.
How sweet it is.
Savor the moment.
And now for the really good news. I’m here accepting the Bonneville 200 MPH hat from Dan Warner, BNI senior certification consultant. I made the 2-club and have stepped into the sophisticated world where a small group of men and women from around the world wear “The Hat.” I’m very humbled by the honor, believe me. To qualify I had to set a record over 215 mph, a bar set by the BNI for my class: XXFBFRMR, which in my case is a replica of a 1923 Ford roadster powered by a supercharged 50 Mercury engine with souped up Arden ohv heads. We qualified on the first run at 220.8 mph - the most unbelievable ride I’ve ever experienced in my life. At 180 things begin to chance trying to push all that wind and keep the car going as straight as you can with your foot planted hard on the gas. From there to 220 you're just throwing yourself through the mile posts that jet by faster and faster. Then the end and the parachute comes out and pulls into your shoulders like you're suddenly pulling a plow. You coast for a mile and turn out, pull the fuel shut off and kill the magneto and roll in silence looking for the return road hidden in a scene straight out of the movie Dr. Zhivago; white as far as you can see. My crew met me with a lot of jubilation. It was their success too. The car was locked in impound waiting for the next morning early for return run and a shot at the record. I fell asleep knowing I would have to make another wild ride the next day. There are so many things that can go wrong. Just the slightest mechanical failure or driver’s error can do it. Next day I made a run of 215.81. Whew! Just enough to establish the record of 218.327 mph. Life is good.
Back on the salt in September for the Utah Salt Flat Association meet. The track was rough and rutted during speed week so we came back for an attempt to raise the record to over 200 mph with the help of my crew: Jerry Stauffer, center, Al Rossback right with screw driver and Bob Lick left, white shirt and with the added wisdom from Ernie on the right and the two-hatted wizard Don Ferguson on the left. Also we had help from Marty Strode, not pictured, who built most of the car.
Les Davenport slips into the cockpit of the Treit and Davenport Target 550 car. Yea 550 mph! Not achieved yet though.
Having set the record with the return run we go to our individual offices for meditation before our all-crew meeting over a few Coors Lights; It’s gotta be 5 o'clock somewhere.
Now back home to a complete servicing of the car readying for the November meet at El Mirage dry lake in California where the whole thing starts over.